A bill was introduced in the Australian Parliament to amend the AIATSIS Act 1989 on Thursday 12 November, 2015. The bill provides for changes to the functions and governance of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).
AIATSIS Chairperson Professor Mick Dodson AM said the Institute has been working with the Government since a review of AIATSIS functions was completed in 2014.
“The amendments have been negotiated between the government and AIATSIS’ Council and executive. Debate on the bill has been deferred until the next sitting of Parliament,” Professor Dodson said.
“We’ll be working closely with our new portfolio Minister, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, to implement the changes seamlessly. They are designed to streamline AIATSIS’ functions so that we can continue to effectively preserve, understand and communicate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture for future generations.”
In summary the draft amendments to the Act provide for:
Streamlining AIATSIS functions;
providing that AIATSIS members will have a demonstrated interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage, rather than studies;
providing that a minimum of two of the four elected Councillors be Indigenous, and that the five Councillors appointed by the Minister be appointed for their skills and experience, and result in a majority of Indigenous Councillors;
providing that a Councillor can only be elected or appointed for two consecutive terms;
replacing the term ‘Principal’ with 'Chief Executive Officer’;
removing the Research Advisory Committee from the legislation;
updating some definitions and terminology relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and persons, studies and culture and heritage; and
incorporating necessary transitional provisions and repealing redundant transitional provisions from the 1989 legislation.
Media release.
More information
Bills of the current Parliament
Second reading speech
Media enquiries
Ph: 02 6246 1605 or Commsmedia@aiatsis.gov.au